A Q&A with the Past and Present Voices of Lake Land's Student-Run Radio Station

For the last 50 years, the Lake Land College Broadcast Communication program has given students the opportunity to showcase their talents on the on-campus, student-run radio station, WLKL. Every day, students build their skills with high-tech equipment, preparing to join the countless graduates before them who are making waves in the Radio/TV industry.

As we commemorate this milestone year, we turn to four students who share their personal reflections and insight into the world of WLKL.

What made you decide to study in the Lake Land College radio broadcasting program?

Larry Blackerby (Class of 1975):

“Actually, I believe it was the size of the school and the affordability. My high school graduating class had less than 40 students, so for a farm kid from a small town, Lake Land was the perfect size. I knew I wanted to be in broadcasting and Lake Land offered that program, so those are the three things that got me to choose LLC.”

Brenda Blackerby (Class of 1975):

“I started Lake Land in a different major. I met Larry during that year and spent a fair amount of time down in the broadcasting area and realized they were having lots of fun. I wound up helping Larry study for the difficult test to get a license to be on the air. I then decided to take the test myself and passed, so I received my license. At that point, I changed my major to Radio Broadcasting.”

Casey Bence (Class of 2025):

“I always enjoyed making content with my friends when we were younger. I also did some things related to broadcasting in high school, so I thought that I should get into the field. I had always heard that Lake Land College was such a great school, so when it became time to choose, I always had Lake Land near the top of the list.”

Aaron Tardy (Class of 2013 and 2026):

“This is actually my second time being a student in the program. I started here in 2011 after graduating from Mattoon High School and earned a certificate in Radio and TV Studio Production. Then, I got hired at Lake Land College in 2014 as the Digital Media Specialist. I put the rest of my education on hold for a while, but I recently decided it was time to finish the rest of my degree. I was a little nervous at first coming back to take classes in my 30s, but I feel like I’m a stronger student because of my life experience and my experience in my job at Lake Land. I’m truly thankful for it.”

What do you like most about radio broadcasting?

Larry Blackerby

“I fell in love with working in television from Day One and I never fell out of love in over 40 years of working in the biz. I loved that no two days were ever the same. I had so much fun that on many occasions I thought, ‘Wow, I am getting paid for this.’”

Casey Bence

“My favorite aspect of radio broadcasting is creating content for people to listen to. I have always enjoyed making all sorts of random content, from racing liveries to making videos and streaming with my friends. As long as I make at least one person happy, it makes all the effort I put into something worth it.”

Aaron Tardy

“Ever since high school, I’ve enjoyed being behind the camera, and that’s initially what I wanted to do. But since I returned to the program, I find radio a lot more interesting than I did before. I realized it allows me to be creative. I kind of have a quirky personality, and radio allows me to be who I am.”

What are some of your proudest accomplishments in the field?

Larry Blackerby

“My goal was to become a General Manager of a television station before I was 40, and I achieved that goal. It was nice over the years to win awards and be recognized by your peers. But, I believe the thing I am most proud of is the amount of people that worked for me at various stations that have gone on to become General Managers themselves. (Ten to be exact). I like to think I had something to do with that as I mentored them during and after our time together.”

Brenda Blackerby

“I got into advertising sales when women were just starting to get those jobs. The glass ceiling was hard to crack. It wasn’t easy, but once clients realized I was truly trying to help their business, they trusted me to help them reach our vast audience.”

Aaron Tardy

“I would say all the things I get to do in my job at Lake Land are what I’m most proud of. I run events here all the time, mapping out the best setup and making sure all the audio is good to go. I’ve learned a lot through it, and I’m proud to see how the experience has helped me in the classroom. It almost feels like cheating because I’m getting to pull from so much experience compared to the first time I was a student in the program.”

How would you describe the Radio Broadcasting program at Lake Land?

Brenda Blackerby

“Ken Beno was the Radio Broadcasting instructor when I was at Lake Land. He was fantastic at teaching us about the real world of the radio business. His advice and counsel was incredibly helpful when I was transferring to Indiana State and in my whole radio career.”

Casey Bence

“I can really describe the broadcast communication program, and really all of Lake Land College, in one word, and that’s home. It’s really an environment where you can find your place in broadcasting while you find your strengths and weaknesses. The teaching staff really helps you round out the edges and helps you become not only a better broadcaster but also a better person.”

Aaron Tardy

“It’s great, and the best thing is that your experience is what you make it. Greg Powers and Ed Thomas are super helpful and knowledgeable, but you have the freedom as a student to mess around with the equipment and be as creative as you can be.”

Do you have a favorite memory that stands out to you from your time in the program?

Larry Blackerby

“This is the easiest question to answer. I met this beautiful girl in a class (non-broadcasting class). That girl is still beautiful and has been my wife for 48 years.”

Brenda Blackerby

“A special moment at Lake Land I’ve told people many times over the years was a typing class I was in, back when there were actual “typewriters.” A guy named Larry happened to sit next to me in that class and seemed to not know how to work his typewriter. Of course, I helped him, but wondered why he was in this advanced class and having such trouble. We soon became friends and I realized I was so naïve! He was playing me! Now we’ve been married 48 years.”

Casey Bence

“There isn’t really just one special moment from my time in the program, but more of a few really good ones. The first one is getting the chance to be on-air as a sportscaster on the radio. If I had told my younger self that I would get to call games for some of the best NJCAA teams in the country, I would have never believed myself. Another one of my favorite memories from the program actually comes from my internship with Lake Land College Marketing & Public Relations. I was given the opportunity to create some stuff for the WLKL 50th Anniversary, and being able to see those at the ceremony meant a lot for me as I was mostly self-taught, really only making race car liveries when it comes to graphic design.”

What does it mean to you to be a part of the 50-year history of WLKL?

Larry Blackerby

“Being there on the first year of that history is pretty cool, except for the fact that it makes me feel old.”

Brenda Blackerby

“I feel so honored and lucky to have been there at the start of WLKL. Learning such a creative and fun business from the ground up was amazing. It created a wonderful career path for me.”

Casey Bence

“It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. Walking into a full room at the ceremony and not only seeing but also talking to some of the people who have made it in the industry was really cool. Then, coming back to the studio after and seeing everyone who was once a part of the program walk around and see what the facility looks like now was really amazing.”

Aaron Tardy

“It means a lot, honestly. In my opinion, the Radio & TV program is up there as one of Lake Land’s top programs. It’s kind of like a storied franchise. So, to be a part of that at all is something special. And coming back to school to finish my degree during such a big year for the program honestly kind of feels like a movie. It was crazy to be there for the 50th Anniversary celebration, too. I actually got to work the event and run audio. Seeing the older generations of students there just made it clear how significant it all is.”

What are your future plans with your Radio/ TV Broadcasting Degree?

Casey Bence

“I am currently planning on finishing a four-year degree at Eastern Illinois University in Television and Video Production while working as a PA/Racing Announcer. After I am done with college, the dream would be to stay in the Racing Industry.”

Aaron Tardy

“I want to use the skills I’m learning to continue to do my best in my job at Lake Land College. Earning the degree will also future-proof myself for possible opportunities down the road. My dream job would be to work with the Chicago Cubs in their audio/visual department. That might be a long shot, but that would be the dream.”